New Products From Fabric, Alpinestars, Kali - Press Camp 2015

Jun 26, 2015
by Mike Kazimer  
Fabric

Fabric Chamber multi tool
Fabric Chamber multi tool

Chamber Multi-Tool

Fabric's Chamber multi-tool is another clever addition to the company's portfolio of products, a compact, 13 function device that has a ratcheting bit holder designed make quick work of those trail side repairs. Six two-sided bits are stored inside the Chamber's body, which covers the range of allen key sizes from 2mm to 6mm, plus a T10 and T25 torx, two flat head and two Phillips head bits, and an 8mm extension. The bits slide through the ratcheting mechanism to form either a T or an L shape tool, depending on how much leverage is needed or how tight the clearance is on the bike. MSRP: $60 USD.
Fabric Chamber multi tool



Alpinestars

Alpinestars 2016
Alpinestars 2016

Paragon Protective Shirt

Looking for back protection, but don't want to wear a hydration pack or a full-blown suit of armor? Alpinestars may have the answer with the Paragon protective shirt. Essentially a pared-down version of their Evolution jacket, the chest and shoulder pads were eliminated and a mesh fabric was used to create a lighter, more breathable garment. A pouch on the back of the shirt holds a removable CE certified back protector, and will also accommodate a hydration bladder. The bladder's hose can either be routed over the shoulder or under the arm depending on a rider's preference. There's a pocket on each side that can be used to hold food or tools, and to keep pointy objects from jabbing you in kidneys, padding is found on the inside of each pocket.

Appinestars 2016
Alpinestars 2016

F-Lite Depth Glove

The F-Lite Depth glove is aimed at riders who prefer their gloves to be as thin as possible, and uses a perforated single piece suede palm combined with a spandex fabric on the back of the hand to accomplish this. Four silicone strips are located on the first two fingers and thumb for brake and shift lever traction, and there's a soft swatch of fabric on the thumb for keeping boogers at bay.



Kali Protectives

Kali

New Helmet Tech: Bumper Fit 2.0

Cycling helmets have traditionally been designed to prevent skull fractures, injuries that typically result from higher speed crashes, but over the last few years helmet manufacturers have begun to turn their attention to finding ways to prevent concussions as well. Concussions can occur at much slower speeds, which means that softer foams and other means of reducing the forces of a crash need to be used. MIPS, the thin plastic insert that allows a helmet to rotate on a rider's head, has been the most visible effort, but other technologies are starting to emerge, including Kali Protectives' new Bumper Fit 2.0

Bumper Fit 2.0 uses small circles of Armourgel, a visco-elastic polymer, located in strategic locations throughout the helmet. During a crash the small circles deform, allowing the helmet to shift slightly, a movement that Kali's testing has found reduces the rotational force of an impact. The material is also more sensitive to lower G-forces than EPS foam, which Kali says makes the helmet more effective at handling slower speed crashes.

Kali's not the first company to use Armourgel in a helmet – Leatt introduced their Turbine 360 design last year – but Bumper Fit 2.0 uses the material in a different way. Kali's new aero road helmet, the Tava, will be the first helmet outfitted with this new technology, but it'll soon be making its way into the company's mountain bike lineup, including the Shiva full face helmet.

Kali Bumperfit 2.0
Sections of Armourgel (the blue material) are interspersed throughout the helmet to help reduce the severity of a crash.





Author Info:
mikekazimer avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,716 articles

69 Comments
  • 194 10
 "Hang on guys....I'm going to top my bladder off"....

removes gloves, removes helmet, removes jersey, removes inner vest thing, removes bladder......

"woops I guess there was more water in there than I thought"

Replaces bladder, puts on vest, puts on jersey, puts on helmet, puts on gloves.......

"Woops, I forgot to route the hose over my shoulder"

removes gloves, removes helmet, removes jersey, removes inner vest thing, removes bladder......

Fixes hose, puts on vest, puts on jersey, puts on helmet, puts on gloves.......

"Ok guys, I'm ready. I really love this new vest!"
  • 45 9
 Negative Nancy.
  • 7 1
 RACING MANG so much stuff comes out of racing.
  • 3 0
 I'm into this. If i need more(long rides) I'd have a bottle too, or just use my wingnut.
can u have water filled up along w/spine pad installed?
  • 2 0
 @jrocksdh - Yep, the bladder sits on the outside of the spine pad. The pocket's stretchy, so there's plenty of room.
  • 21 0
 Not to mention you'll have a nice looking hunch back.
  • 12 3
 this is like trying to re invent the wheel. The only real advance i've seen in hydration packs is the one with two bladders so you can bring beer. cheers
  • 5 2
 Place a hydration bladder on possibly one of the warmest places on your body while riding... not appealing to me.
  • 2 0
 Camelbak did this with a jersey and it was horrible. Luckily I paid only $5 for it which was worth a new bladder.
  • 14 0
 Waiting for the NASA version that absorbs you're sweat, desalinates it, and then you never have to fill it. Doesn't recycle urine tho, that would be nasty.
  • 3 0
 Frank H - bc DUNE - where is that tech already?!
  • 2 0
 @gooded - your birthday is right around the corner...now I know what to get you!
  • 55 1
 Good to see companies thinking of ways to protect us in slow speed crashes and just not high speed off's.. I'm all for any advance in helmets ect as opposed to companies making my bike fatter..
  • 34 2
 Fatbikes are the biggest innovation in riding safety in the last decade! You physically can't get rowdy enough to hurt yourself.
  • 9 0
 I think that video only serves to prove the point! Keep in mind here that this is how he normally rides:

www.vitalmtb.com/videos/features/Vital-RAW-Eddie-Masters-Reece-Potter-Skyline-MTB-Park-Madness,28279/sspomer,2
  • 48 8
 $60 for a tool, you've got to be kidding me
  • 30 2
 Agreed, but I will say its a pretty rad tool
  • 20 3
 Id pay that, thirteen tools, ratchet action, and small enough to barley notice it in your pocket.
  • 9 1
 Agreed the price is considerably high for what it is. But the tool itself is not a bad idea.
  • 29 1
 Is that a tool in your pocket or are you happy to see me?
  • 5 0
 Check out the Topeak Ratchet Rocket. Maybe it's called "lite" or "mini" but at $30 retail it's a steal for what is probably my favorite and most versatile tool.
  • 2 1
 I have a ratcheting snap on screwdriver that has interchangeable shanks and bits. It stores bits in the handle and has a fine tooth ratchet and awesome handle. $120, lifetime warranty.

This isn't that far out of line.
  • 4 0
 It's clearly not the tool for the guy who buys a $15 tool from an online superstore because its not designed anything like a $15 tool.
  • 9 0
 Guaranteed to shave a few grams off your wallet .
  • 1 0
 @UtahBikeMike agreed if it said Snap on on it. Without the designer tag its just another multi tool.
  • 5 0
 I don't know how others use tools, but I like to put a bit of inward pressure to avoid rounding out the bolt/screw. By the look of the ratchet that appears to be near impossible with this tool as you'd just push the bit straight through?

All socket tools I own have one ended bits which mans they work properly!
  • 3 1
 @properp

It's not a fashon tag. They truly use better steels, better forging and higher tolerances. They last much longer than sears stuff. When you make your living with them they're worth it.

Law of dimishing returns applies here, as well.

It's also nice to have a guy come to me and ask me if i need anything or have broken tools that need to be warrantied.
  • 2 0
 "a guy" Read: salesman.

There are a LOT of cheaper tool brands that offer lifetime warranty. Snap On is a designer label just like any other, and that's ok.
  • 1 0
 Have you ever used a cornwell tool? They're terrible and as expensive. Matco is glorified craftsman
  • 4 1
 From a guy that makes his living and buys his bikes with his tools, the professional brands are worth every penny. The guy/salesperson also extends credit and finds the obscure items.
  • 1 1
 Ask me what my truing stand cost.
  • 1 0
 Needs to have some cinch to be able to apply pressure, as well as a ball bearing hex drive so it can contour to different angles necessary, not everything is 90 degrees.
  • 24 2
 I don't think a helmet made from lego will be the most comfortable.
  • 15 2
 It wouldn't be, but the Armourgel material is soft and flexible, and will have a layer of foam padding over it.
  • 1 0
 I think that octopus sucker marks on your bonce will be the next big fashion statement.
  • 12 0
 NO, do not make multi tools where the tools can detach, I get the impression that people who design those things have never broken a chain whilst riding in North Wales in November. . On a more positive note, it's nice to see the design of helmets moving forwards to address more MTB specific accidents. Whilst coverage has improved over the years, a standard Giro Feature isn't much different technologically from the brain bucket I had as a six year old tearing up the local parks. Things like this and MIPS present a nice step forwards, now lets get those prices down a bit.
  • 1 0
 What is it about North Wales in November that requires more than a mini chain tool to repair a broken chain? Not that you're wrong about detachable tools, I keep a close eye on the 8mm removable hex when the Allen keys come out.
  • 3 0
 It's not the mini, it's the detachable part. There's nothing quite as soul destroying as trying to fiddle with all the tiny tool heads when your hands are numb from the freezing cold and it's raining. Then because it's cold and wet and your hands are numb you will inevitably drop the tool and see a fleeting glimpse of the tiny tool that you need go bouncing off into the undergrowth never to be seen again. So you will be cold, your hands will be numb, you will still have a broken chain, your multi tool will be useless and it will be going dark, because in North Wales in November it is either dark or going dark, no exceptions. . Not that this has ever happened to me you understand. Tools that are permanently attached are much better, at least when you drop it a whole multi tool is pretty easy to find and pick up again.
  • 12 1
 Dear fabric, put all of your efforts into getting the cool water bottle thing to market quickly. Make all the money. Use the money to rethink the multi tool.
  • 6 0
 You forgot to mention an added feature of the Fabric...it also functions as a mini vibrator. Now do you see why it costs $60?
  • 20 0
 No pockets? No problem.
  • 7 0
 If you take out the tools, you can fit a gerbil in there.
  • 6 4
 Sounds like Kali has been watching 6D tech videos and following Bell's progress with MIPS and flex. Always stoked to see head safety progress though.
  • 7 1
 Kali's in-moulded technology is far more advanced then these others. I guarantee those companies are looking at what kali is doing. Kali is reducing the overall volume therefor reducing rotation forces. Have you ever seen a 6d helmet next to a kali shiva ...the 6d looks like a cartoon.
  • 2 2
 Completely different technology and philosophy. I was referring to THIS helmet not those. That technology is the same idea as 6d, etc. I'm not talking about the other helmets. I'm fully aware of Kali and very much respect what they're doing. It was not a knock on them.
  • 2 1
 It's very cool stuff. Kali uses bumper fit 2.0 in a very cool way. It also keeps the helmet small. Most anti rotation devices increase the helmet volume so much they also increase the leverage in an impact.
  • 4 3
 Kali is light years ahead of anyone else.
  • 1 2
 Wouldn't say that. They have a different philosophy than most. And they do a damned good job at it. But light years... no.
  • 1 1
 Im quite certain that the foam in all helmets is there to absorb the impact. Thus the brain receives less trauma. I have had a few mild concussion s from head impacts wearing a helmet. My brain would have been scrambled with out. EVA foam in a helmet would be great!
  • 2 1
 EPS foam is too dense, it won't kick in until a relatively high impact 100-120 g forces depending on foam density. You can get a concussion at 50-80 g forces and generally black out at 74 g forces. In Fact foam in helmets isn't there to absorb impacts in all crashes, instead to absorb in more serious crashes. The bumperfit breaks down earlier than EPS and helps manage low G forces hits, think under 10 MPH.
  • 1 0
 Like if your racing dh and you hit a tree? Done that a few times. EVA foam between my skull and the helmet wouldn't work?
whats the blue stuff for in the helmet in this article.
Try ramming your head into a tree with a helmet.
Kind of like getting hit with a base ball bat.
That enuf force for you?
Btw i would use both the cheap Styrofoam and the EVA foam.
ill let some one else Ginny that thin blue stuff.
  • 1 0
 The Fabric tool seems cool but it's not available until Sept 15, according to their website... Guess I won't be getting that for this summer season.
  • 2 0
 I believe most, if not all, riders have a built in SWAT hole to fit that tool.
  • 2 0
 And WHERE exactly are you supposed to shove that Chamber multi-tool?
  • 1 0
 Does multi-use mean it's good for both bikes and prison???
  • 1 0
 with that alpinestars tank you can go straight from the trail to your favorite 90s rave! talk about multipurpose design!
  • 2 0
 Definitely the coolest marigold gloves I ever did see..
  • 6 6
 You can buy an interchangeable head screwdriver that ratchets for less than $10. Bikes are dumb.
  • 8 1
 Except that isn't a screwdriver, and most screw drivers don't come with hex keys.
  • 3 0
 rck 18 is right on. Make it bike specific and make bank. Even if it didn't come with hex bits you can buy them to use with the home depot special and still save plenty $. Size difference would be significant though but not an issue if u carry a pack. Still fun to buy new bike shit though.
  • 1 0
 "Jabbing" what a word lol
  • 6 6
 That helmet could use a hole or 2 for ventilation.
  • 4 2
 This is an aero road helmet
  • 1 1
 Nobody has yet said anything about the MESH shirt!? Mesh?
  • 2 0
 It's 2015 bud.. Gay is the new black apparently, you must've missed the memo..
  • 1 2
 the helmet looks so uncomfortable with these blue things
  • 2 0
 The blue armourgel is soft. It's the point of it. It actually makes the helmet much more comfortable.
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